Nav aims to reign in Spain

MTK fighter Nav Mansouri is looking to start 2019 with a belt as he takes on Jorge Fortea for the IBF Interncontiental super-welterweight division title in Marbella tonight.

Mansouri (19-1-2) faces Fortea (18-1-1) at the Palacio de Deportes Elena Benitez, San Pedro at 9pm , and he’s hoping to come out on top.

The Rotherham-born fighter looked confident and relaxed at yesterday’s weigh in, held at the MTK gym. He said: “It’s a massive opportunity and a big fight. I’m excited for it and we’ve prepared very well, it’s just been training and resting non-stop.

“The bigger the opportunity the more drive you’ll have, and that’s why I’ve pushed myself so much for this fight. I’m not boxing someone to do the rounds, I’m boxing someone who is coming trying to beat me and take the next step himself.

“It makes it more exciting and worthwhile, and I’ll get a world ranking out of it with a win so that’s great too. I’ve got a good following out here in Spain now and I appreciate all the fans coming and supporting me. He’s Spanish champion, but most of the support will be for me.”

Mansouri’s last three outings in Spain have all seen him win in impressive fashion, including a stoppage win over Bogdan Mitic at the Plaza de Toros back in October.

He is also competing alongside some of his MTK Global stablemates on the bill, with Joe Sherriff in action against Alvaro Terrero, Ion Costin taking on Brandon Oertel, and Antonio Gomez facing Abdelaziz Zdite.